Boiler cleaner



N. L. SNOW.

BOILER CLEANER Dec. 22, 1931.

Original Filed Oct. 6, 1924 1 N VEN TOR. Aacwmv 4. .fi'n'aw A TTORNEYJPatented Dec. 22, 1931 stares rA'rsur oFFicE NORMAN L. SNOW, OF NEWCANAAN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO DIAMOND POWER SPECIALTY CORPORATION, OFDETRQET, IVTICHIGAN, A. CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN BOILER CLEANERApplication filed October 6, 1924. Serial No. 742,040. RenewedIslet/ember 17,1930;

This invention relates to boiler cleaners and among the objects of theinvention are to, provide an improved apparatus and method of cleaningboilers.

The present invention has reference to all 'ypes of boilers such aswater tube and fire tube boilers including super-heaters, economizers,air pro-heaters and other similar heat-transferring equipment, on theheating surface of which soot deposited or accumulates. It is well knownthat the soot deposited on such heating surfaces is inaintained at arelativelylow temperature due to the fact that the water, steam, air orother fluids which are to be heated are on the opposite side of thetubes or heating sure. The temperature of the soot is therefore kept solow that it is not completely consumed where it is in intimate contactwith the heating surfaces, even though the gases which are the productsof the combustion in the furnace or the other gases which are furnishedfor heating purposes from other sources are of a sufficient hightemperature to otherwise cause combustion of the soot.

Among the objects of the invention is the creation of high temperaturealong the heating surface where the soot is deposited and also thefurnishing of an excess amount of which will rapidly burn the soot. An-0 ier object of the invention isthe novel arranrement for removing thesoot bymeans of suction as set forth in one of the modifications of theinvention.

in the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a diagrammatic elevational view of an apparatussuitable for carrying out invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are detail views showing toe arrangement of the nozzleelements.

Describing first in detail the construction shown in the drawings, andin which the showing of the apparatus is somewhat diagrammetic, Adesignates the surface to be cleaned, in the present construction beingillustrated as the tubes A which connect the drums A of a water tubeboiler. In this type of boiler the soot to be cleaned olf would tend toaccumulate on the outer surfaces of the water tubes which serve as heatinterchangers. For cleaning the soot or other accumulations variousapparatus can be em- .ployed embodying my invention but in the pipe Dthrough the vertical header D to 69 the nozzles D which as shown inFigures 2 and 3 are positioned ad acent the boiler tubes A" and areprovided withorilices D The flow of oxygen enriched air to the header?".1) and nozzles D is controlled by a valve E although separate controlvalves D may be provided with each header. Leading from the tank B is apipe F which through a similar series of branches F connects with I thenozzles D Preferably the connect-ion 10 to the nozzles is made through asmaller nozzle G which terminates in the interior of the nozzles D Thesupply of acetylene gas or other combustible gas through the pipes F iscontrolled by a valve F Also in place of the tank 0 being used as anoxygen su ply it may be used for containing compresse air. In use, theremoval of the soot may be effected in various ways. For example, it maybe burned by the contacting oxyacetylene flame, this direct contact ofthe flame with the heating surfaces to be cleaned being continued untilall the soot is removed. In this case a flame. strongly oxidizing shouldbe used. In place of this contact, the ignition of 85 the soot may bestarted by contact of the flame for an instant, the acetylene orcombustible gas being first used and then turned off and the oxygen oroxygen-enriched air valve being left open so that the oxygen oroxygen-enriched air flowing out and impinging on the surfacesto'becleaned causes combustion to continue until all the soot is consumed. Incertain cases, the temperature of the boi er surfaces may be suflicientto cause ignition and consequent combustion of the soot, when oxygen oroxygen-enriched air alone is fed through the discharge nozzles andallowed to impinge on the heating surfaces to be cleaned. While in theillustrative embodiment I have shown a stationary element through whichthe combustible gases and oxygen pass, rotatable elements such as a.rotatable blower nozzle pipe or other ro,v

tatable movable member may be used instead of the fixed elements shownin the drawings. Describing now the novel arrangement for cleaning thesoot by means of suction, the nozzles D are used as suction nozzles butthe valves E and F are closed and the valve 7 H opened. In thisadjustment of the parts the soot is drawn through the orifices D andpipe D down into a receiving or settling tank I by means of a suctionpump J. In order to cool the soot laden gases before they reach thesuction pump J there is provided a lead such as the pipe K leading to asuitable source of water supply. The connection of the water supply pipeK to the pipe D is cont-rolled by a valve K. In operation the suctionpump J is started and the valve K opened. The soot from the surfaces tobe cleaned is then drawn into the pipe D and water or other coolingliquid is drawn into the pipe K and the soot laden gases and the coolingliquid passed down into the settling tank I. The latter is preferablyprovided with an over-flow connection L leading to a sewer or othersuitable liquid discharge. This =over flow L extends down below thewater lev- --el so as to provide a gas seal that will prevent the gasesfrom passing into the sewer. As the soot laden gases and water are drawninto the receiving tank I the soot will be deposited into the receivingtank while the gases will be drawn into the conduit 'N to the suctionpump and discharged through the outlet N".

By the novel arrangement above described it is possible to not only drawthe soot deposits from the surfaces to be cleaned but also to comminglethem with the cooling liquid and to then cool the gases and settle thesoot-deposits out into the reoei ving tank where they will be taken outwith the overflow. It 'isef :course understood that the invention is notlimited to the nozzle arrangement -shown, as any arrangementof eitherstation- :ary or movable suction nozzles, for example a rotatable'pipe,could :be employed and va rious ether changes in the construction andarrangements-of parts could be made without dep'ar'ting from the scopeof my invention.

What I claim as :my invention is:

1. The method of changing the character of soot deposits boilers,furnaces and the like wherebysuch deposits may easily be removed whichconsists bringing a supply of substantially pure oxygen gas intoassociation with the deposits while such deposits are s'oheated in thenormal use of theboiler, furnace ort'he 'like as to cause combustibleelements'thereof to ignitein the presence of the oxygen gas. 5 "9.'Ihermethod of changing the Character the gases of combustion.

3. In combination with a boiler, a heating device for removingcombustion products from a tube of the boiler comprising a member having:a burner nozzle, means for permanently locating and supporting saidmember within the boiler setting adjacent said boiler tube with the saidburner nozzle directed toward the said tube, a source of supply of ahigh temperature producing substance located outside the boiler setting,and

means for conducting said substance to said member for discharge throughsaid burner nozzle for creating a temperature at the boiler "tubesurface relatively greater than the normal boiler operating temperatureto establish combustion of said deposits.

4-. In combination with a boiler, aheating device for removingcombustion products from a tube of the boiler comprising a membertransversely curved in a direction transverse'ly of the said boiler tubeto substantially conform with the boiler tube surface and provided witha plurality of burner nozzles in said transversely curved portion, meansfor permanently locating and supporting said member within the boilersetting adjacent said boiler tube with the said burner nozzles directedtoward the said tube, a source of supply of a high temperature producingsubstance located outside the boiler setting, and-means for conductingsaid substance to sald member fordischarge through said burner nozzlesfor creating a temperature at the boiler tube surface relatively greaterthan the normalboi'ler operating temperature to establish combustion ofsaid deposits.

5. In combination with a boiler, a heating device for removingcombustion deposits from the exterior surface of a tube of the boilercomprising a member having a plu rality of burner vnozzles spacedlongitudinally'thereof, means for permanently locating and supportingsaid member within the boiler setting adjacent the exterior surface ofsaid boiler tube with the burner nozzles di- .rected toward said tubelongitudinally thereof, a source of supply of a high temperatureproducing substance located outsidethe boiler setting, andmeans forconducting said substance to said member for discharge through saidburner nozzles for creating a temperature at the boiler tube surfacerelatively greater than the normal boiler operating temperature toestablish combustion of said deposits.

6. In combination with a boiler, a heating device for removingcombustion deposits from the exterior surface ofa tube of the boilercomprising a member having a plurality of burner nozzles spacedlongitudinah ly thereof, said member being transversely curved tosubstantially conform to the boil er tube, burner nozzles spaced alongsaid transversely curved portion of the said member, means forpermanently locating and supporting said member within the boilersetting adjacent the exterior surface of said boiler tube with theburner nozzles directed toward said tube, a source of supply of a hightemperature producing substance located outside the boiler setting, andmeans for conducting said substance to said member for discharge throughsaid burner nozzles for creating a temperature at the boiler tubesurface relatively greater than the normal boiler operating temperatureto establish combustion of said deposits.

7. In combination with a boiler, a heating device for removingcombustion products from a tube of the boiler comprising a member havinga burner nozzle, means for permanently locating and supporting saidmember within the boiler setting adjacent said boiler tube andintermediate the length thereof with the said burner nozzle directed toward the said tube, a source of supply of a high temperature producingsubstance located outside the boiler setting, a source of supply ofsubstantially pure oxygen gas located outside the boiler setting, pipingfor conducting said substance to said member for discharge through saidburner nozzle and piping for conducting said oxygen gas to said memberfor discharge through said burner nozzle, and control means for theaforesaid sets of piping whereby the sup ply of said substance to themember may be controlled independently of the supply of said oxygen gasto said member, the said substance and oxygen gas being discharged fromsaid burner nozzle for creating a temperature at the boiler tube surfacerelatively greater than the normal boiler operating temperature toestablish combustion of said deposits.

8. In combination with a boiler, a heating device for removingcombustion deposits from the exterior surface of a tube of the boilercomprising a member having a plurality of burner nozzles spacedlongitudinally thereof, means for permanently locating and supportingsaid member within the boiler setting adjacent the exterior surface ofsaid boiler tube with the burner nozzles directed toward said tubelongitudinally thereof, a source of supply of substantially pure oxygengas located outside the boiler setting, and means for conducting saidoxygen gas to said memating means, a source of gas suitable forpermitting combustion of the soot deposits, and means for selectivelycausing communication between the nozzle and with the said suction meansor the said source of gas.

10. In combination with'a boiler, a device .v

for removing soot or like deposits from a tube of the boiler comprisinga member formed with a suction nozzle, means for locating and supportingsaid member permanently within the boiler setting adjacent the outersurfacei of said tube with the nozzle directed toward he outer tubesurface, means for creating a suction, and means forming a communicationbetween said suction means and said member whereby the soot deposits areremoved from the said tube by way of the suction nozzle and said member.

11. In combination w1th a boiler, a device for removing soot or likedeposits from a tube of the boiler comprising a member.

formed with a. plurality of suction nozzles longitudinally thereof,means for locating and supporting said member permanently within theboiler setting adjacent the outer surface of said tube with the nozzlesdirected toward the tube at points longitudinally thereof, means forcreating a suction, and means forming a communication between saidsuction means and said member whereby the soot deposits are removed fromthe said tube i by way of the suction nozzle and said member.

12. In combination with a boiler, a heating device for removingcombustion products from a tube of the boiler comprising a member shapedto substantially conform to the i boiler tube and having a burnernozzle, means for permanently locating and supporting said member withinthe boiler setting adjacent said boiler tube with the said burner nozzledirected toward the said tube and po-' sitioned intermediate the lengththereof, a

source of supply of a high temperature producing substance locatedoutside the boiler setting, and means for. conducting said substancetosaid member for discharge through said burner nozzle for creating atemperature 'atthe boiler tube surface relatively greater than thenormal boiler operating temperature to establish combustion of saiddeposits.

13. In combination with a boiler, a heating device for removingcombustion products from a tube of the boiler comprising a member havinga plurality of burner nozzles,

means for permanently locating and supporting said member within theboiler setting ad .jacent said boiler tube with the said burner nozzlesdirected'toward'the.said tubeand extending substantially the entirelength of the tube, a source of supply of a high temperature producingsubstance located outside the boiler setting and means for conductingsaid substance to said memberfor discharge through said burner nozzlesfor creating a temperature at the boiler tube surface relatively greaterthan he normal boiler operating temperature to establish combustion ofsaid deposits.

14. In combination with a boiler, a device for removing soot-or likedeposits from a tube of the boiler comprising a member formed witha'suction nozzle, said member being transversely curved to substantiallyconform to the boiler tube, means for locating and supporting saidmember permanentl-y within the boilersetting adjacent the outer surfaceof said tube with the nozzle directed toward the outer tube surface,means for creating a suction, and means for forming a communicationbetween said suction means and said member whereby the soot deposits areremoved from the said tube by way of the suction nozzle and said member.

1-5. In combination with a boiler, a device for removing soot or likedeposits from a tube of the boiler comprising a member formed with aplurality of suction nozzles longitudinally thereof, said member beingtransversely curved to substantially conform to the boiler tube, meansfor locating and supporting said .member permanently within the boilersetting adjacent the outer surface of said tube with the nozzlesdirected toward the tube at points spaced lon- 'gitudinally thereof,means for creating a suction, and means forming a communication betweensaid suction means and said member whereby the soot deposits are re-:moved'from the said tube :by way of the suction nozzles and member.

'16. The method of changing the character of soot deposits in boilers,furnaces and the like whereby such deposits may easily be removed, whichconsists in bringing a supply of combustion supporting gas intoassociation with the deposits while such deposits are so heated in thenormal use of the boiler, furnace or the like as to cause thecombustible elements thereof to, ignite in the pres ence of the saidgas. I V

17. The method. of cleaning soot deposits from a boiler part whichconsists in introducing a supply of a combustion supporting gas into theboiler and into association with the deposits while such deposits are soheated in the normal use of the boiler as to cause the combustibleelements thereof to ignite in the presence of the gas, and subsequentlyeffecting a removal of the residue ofthe deposits from the said boilerpart.

1-8. The method of cleaning soot deposits from a boiler part whichconsists in introducing a supply of a combustion supporting gas into theboiler :and into association with the deposits while such deposits areso heated in the normal use of the boiler as to cause the, combustibleelements thereof to ignite in the presence of the gas, and subsequentlycreating a pressure adjacent said boiler part differing from the normalpressure adjacent said part to effect a removal of the residue of thedeposits from the said boiler part.

19. The method of cleaning soot deposits from a boiler part whichconsists in introducing asupply of a combustion supporting gas into theboiler and into association with the deposits while such deposits are soheated in the normal-use of the boiler as to cause the combustibleelements thereof to ignite in the presence of the gas, and subsequentlycreating a suction adjacent said boiler part to effect aremovalof theresidue of the deposits from the said boiler part.

20. The method of cleaning soot deposits from boilers, furnaces and thelike which consists in bringing a supply of substantial ly pure oxygengas into association with the deposits while such deposits are so heatedin the normal use of the boiler, furnace or the like as to cause thecombustible elements thereof to ignite in the presence of the oxygengas, and subsequently efiecting a removal of the residue of the depositsfrom the said boiler, furnace or the like.

21. In combination with a boiler, a device for removing soot or likedeposits from a tube of the boiler, comprising a member formed with asuction nozzle, means for locating and permanently supporting saidmember within the boiler setting adjacent the outer surface of said tubewith the nozzle directed toward the outer tube surface,

suction creating means, a source of gas suitv able for permittingcombustion of the soot deposits, and'means for selectively causingcommunication between the said nozzle and with the said suction means orthe said source of gas.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

NORMAN L. SNOIV.

